Mercilessly Mirzapur

After going through the initial few episodes of Season 3 that forced me to assume that the season is only slightly better placed than the Season 2, suddenly episode 7 happened that changed everything. Beginning with a gripping yet not so dramatic start, the plot seemed not so thrilling. We seemed to know what could happen! We knew that Kaleen Bhaiya had survived. We knew Guddu would be ascending the throne tainted with blood. We knew that Madhuri would seek vengeance. We knew the Tyagis will thirst for the blood of Golu. We knew that there will be a power tussle between Sharad and Guddu. And we knew that the life of Ramakant Pandit will be leading haywire!

But what we didn't know was how, if at all, Guddu retains his prized possession of the throne! We didn't know if Beena is satisfied in her cleverly camouflaged nest for her son! We were having no idea of how, if at all, Guddu and Golu plan to survive the onslaught of the opposing parties, a professional hazard that often entails terrifying domino effects! We had no inkling of what fate had in store for Kaleen Bhaiya! We didn't have known what destined role does Robin play in the Pandit family. And we surely didn't know if Maqbool plans to enter the foray to quench his thirst to avenge against the family that betrayed his heart!

Strictly speaking, these form the motive force behind the season and keeps the grip on but falls short of the suspense. But I must, however, admit that the series of climactic twists leading to the startling showdown catapults the rendition way ahead of the Season 2, though not reaching the frightening benchmark that Season 1 had set. Revealing evil in the rawest, the season provides ample opportunities to bask in guilty pleasure but the frequent collaterals may keep the primitive attitude somewhat at check!

As Guddu Pandit stoops to a new low, Ali Fazal attains newer heights of superbly natural acting, precisely presenting the character through all the required shades. Ranging from the utter cruelty to inescapable despair, every emotion is effortlessly portrayed as the actor blends all too well with the character he plays. But slight disappointingly, Shweta Tripathi Sharma, my favourite, overdoes the Golu effect, very much spoiling her singularly terse appeal. Isha Talwar, on the contrary, shines in her cool charisma as she completes the transformation of the aspiring diplomat from the preceding season to the suavely strategist Madhuri. But beside these, two actors deserve special mention due to their individual skills that are greatly distinct yet equally brilliant. One of them, as most might already have guessed, is no other than Pankaj Tripathi, who wins the admiration while playing one of the vilest crime lords of all times. With a short screen presence and even shorter amount of dialogues, his mere presence heightens the sequences featuring him, augmented by his signature crisp comments and subtle yet piercing gestures. The other is Vijay Varma, who played the dual role of the Tyagi siblings in the previous season and reprises his role of the surviving brother in the latest one. He portrays one of the most complicated characters that the drama demands with perfect poise and enhances the chilling suspense of several situations with the least predictable demeanour!

Thus, Mirzapur continues to entertain, starting as early as the haunting notes of the opening score (John Stewart Eduri) appeal to the senses, but will require improvement in the narrative for retaining the madness!

Mirzapur, a sinful saga of betrayals!

After watching Gangs of Wasseypur, it appeared that I’ve seen it all. Treachery, betrayal, blood and gore, and evil had seemed to be depicted in their darkest. But a glimpse at Mirzapur proved me wrong. Vengeance reveals to reach a new low as fear unleashes its reins. Ethics appear to take a backseat, relations are forgotten as crime unfolds its fiendish hues. The series streaming in Prime, this chillingly crafted Amazon Original is a tale soaked in sin.

Akhandanand Tripathi gets his name of Kaleen Bhaiya from his carpet business and uses his trade as a front to his criminal activities. Dealing in drugs and arms and advised by his father,  the previous don, Satyanand Tripathi, he continues a reign of terror, keeping the local constabulary in his payroll. Instilling fear in the heart of those who try to disobey him, his private army of bodyguards is led by Maqbool, the loyal and fearless henchman of the patriarchal family since the time of his father. But things go awry as the dangerously impulsive and short-sighted Munna, son of Akhandanand, and aspiring to be the next don before his time comes, accidentally kills a groom on his way to his wedding. Enter Ramakant Pandit, the courageous lawyer who tries to bring down Munna with this opportunity! But as it happens, with a curious twist of fate, the incident triggers a fight with Munna and his horde with the Pandit siblings, Guddu and Babloo, resulting in them being offered places in the Tripathi crime family as Akhandanand was impressed by their brave stand driving Munna furious with this apparently uncalled for injustice. Babloo's brain and Guddu's muscle gives impetus to the business and they are given control of the katta business. As violence reaches a peak, a Senior Superintendent of Police, Maurya, is deputed to Mirzapur. As he tries to control the crime, Babloo and Guddu improvises. But again matter takes a drastic turn as Guddu woos Sweety, Superintendent of Police, Parshuram Gupta's daughter, on whom Munna also had eyes on. The sobre Babloo also strikes up a fond acquaintance with her studious sister, Golu and assists her in her rallies in college elections, much to the chagrin of Munna, the other contestant.

The Tripathi household harbours scandalous secrets with Satyanand indulging in debauchery as did Beena, wife of Akhandanand. These also create surprise twists in the series with fate playing peculiar roles. Lust also features in Munna who is indifferent at hiding it.

Guddu becomes ambitious and takes decision of his own, kindling tension with Kaleen Bhaiya to whom, just like his father, blood is always thicker than sweat. The opportunity is harvested by Munna who poisons the ears of his father and misleads Maqbool to misunderstand Guddu in thinking he has become rogue. Satyanand gives his nod and Munna goes for the kill.

Another past victim of clan favouritism of Tripathis enters the picture with a grievance. The disgruntled soldier of Tripathi crime family fled Mirzapur after his attempt to take down the head went awry. He rose to individual infamy in neighbouring Jaunpur, eventually becoming the don but still aspiring for the throne of Mirzapur. State politics favours the crime lords as leaders wet their beaks for their own good. The power-obsessed Akhandanand eyes for the ministry as Munna eyes for his chair.

Matter gets out of control as season#1 ends with irreparable damages in the lives of Guddu and Golu. The season#2 witnesses a patient and composed Guddu striking up a surprise ally with a thoroughly transformed Golu set upon a determined trail of avenging their losses.

Pankaj Tripathi as Akhandanand will be remembered for a long time with his cold smile and composed looks. Instilling fear in the minds of the audience with his measured remarks, his sneers as he rebukes his son will add to the contrasting humour in the character as will be his subtle body language that conveys deeper meanings laced in apprehensions. Ali Faizal establishes his forte as he transforms the character and looks of Guddu Pandit from the brawny muscleman in the premier season to the determined strategist in the following. The signature of this character is emphasized by sudden yet calculated actions that more than compensates for economy in speech. Balance is struck with the able harmony of Shweta Tripathi Sharma whose character transformation from the carefree student to the committed avenger in Golu deserves more than a mere praise and will be my favourite character in the series. Divyendu Sharma as the lecherous, ambitious, ruthless, immoral Munna is chillingly terrifying with his characteristic jibes that heralds doom and chaos and is frighteningly consistent that must be appreciated. Rasika Dugal as Beena, wife to Akhandanand, plays her role as the lady of the house to perfection with a commanding attitude. Silently manipulative for the sake of the life whom she holds dear, she strikes balance in the patriarchal ambience and is quick with enticing opportunity with a cruelty borne out of desperation and disgrace. Last but evidently not the least is Vikrant Massey as the smart and quick witted Babloo, deserving more than a simple applause as he dominates the screen in presence of giants in his fields with his naive smile that hides the critical mind, guiding and standing by his dear ones with the loyal heart of a friend and brother. This might be the only character who will derive sympathy from the audience albeit being no less evil in actions.

The cinematography of Sanjay Kapoor highlights each character in their appropriate shades as does he darken and illuminate scenes as situations demand. Karan Anshuman, Gurmeet Singh and Mihir Desai crafts each season carefully to keep the thrill constant and the tension uncompromised. The released season#1 and season#2 are directed following theme on struggle for power and lust for vengeance yet the former is superior in essence but the latter is essential for salvation. The title track composed by John Stewart Eduri and music direction by Anand Bhaskar adds another dimension to the theme that is sure to give shivers down the spine. Cusswords abound, the script by Krishna brothers, Puneet and Vineet along with Karan Anshuman is trimmed to perfection and served in style.

Dices are rolled while power changes hands, killing becomes the order while violence the norm, the series is a saga of revenge  and betrayal etched in blood. Not recommended for those with a chaste heart, Mirzapur will thrill the audience with guilty pleasure, but will be a reminder of the coarser shades of reality!